I ain't managed to get out much recently, work and family have kept me busy enough as winter has set in but today I managed to get out of the house and into the forest for a bit of peace and quiet!
I trotted off across the fields to a large forested area near me. It was a chilly 7 degrees on the car thermometer so I layered up. Nothing bulky as big puffa jackets ain't really my thing but three all natural layers did the job of seeing me right.
The first thing I saw when I got into the woods proper was this.....
http://imgur.com/WdgAH8b
A clear sign of another woodsman maybe? I ventured on deeper into the trees, looking for a nice spot for a brew. I only carried the barest things with me today. Knife, water bottle, metal mug and a flint striker, with a nice all in one coffee. Collecting an amount of birch bark and small sticks I set about getting fire...
http://imgur.com/2HZk7NJ
I didnt need much as I was only making a warm drink. I scraped up the outer bark and with a few scrapes of the steel the flames crept through.
http://imgur.com/cM90h9R
http://imgur.com/5RnNCwu
Once everything was going nicely I set my mug into the side of the fire to heat up. After a short while I was enjoying a nice warm brew so I took the time to take in my surroundings and relax. To be honest I didn't do much except sit there and let my mind wander but it was really good to be in the quiet of the woods again.
http://imgur.com/6yZZkKf
Even gentle moments in time have to end, so I cleared away the fire site and made a move towards the car, taking a looping route back. I spotted deer scat and prints, which by the size were from Munjac and I put a number of pheasant to flight. But my favorite find of all was this huge Cedar.
http://imgur.com/eVIVgFD
I have never been confident in identifying one before but there was no mistaking it. I collected some of the bark and prepared it for a coal, putting it in my pocket for another day. What a great find!
One the way back to the car I spotted this little nest in the hedge...
http://imgur.com/8MUwnVr
The whole nest was about five feet off the ground and about the size of my fist. The entrance to the nest is only bout the size of an old 50p. I wander what lives/lived there?
I was back at the car far too soon, but it was really good to be out. I will be out again soon!
I trotted off across the fields to a large forested area near me. It was a chilly 7 degrees on the car thermometer so I layered up. Nothing bulky as big puffa jackets ain't really my thing but three all natural layers did the job of seeing me right.
The first thing I saw when I got into the woods proper was this.....
http://imgur.com/WdgAH8b
A clear sign of another woodsman maybe? I ventured on deeper into the trees, looking for a nice spot for a brew. I only carried the barest things with me today. Knife, water bottle, metal mug and a flint striker, with a nice all in one coffee. Collecting an amount of birch bark and small sticks I set about getting fire...
http://imgur.com/2HZk7NJ
I didnt need much as I was only making a warm drink. I scraped up the outer bark and with a few scrapes of the steel the flames crept through.
http://imgur.com/cM90h9R
http://imgur.com/5RnNCwu
Once everything was going nicely I set my mug into the side of the fire to heat up. After a short while I was enjoying a nice warm brew so I took the time to take in my surroundings and relax. To be honest I didn't do much except sit there and let my mind wander but it was really good to be in the quiet of the woods again.
http://imgur.com/6yZZkKf
Even gentle moments in time have to end, so I cleared away the fire site and made a move towards the car, taking a looping route back. I spotted deer scat and prints, which by the size were from Munjac and I put a number of pheasant to flight. But my favorite find of all was this huge Cedar.
http://imgur.com/eVIVgFD
I have never been confident in identifying one before but there was no mistaking it. I collected some of the bark and prepared it for a coal, putting it in my pocket for another day. What a great find!
One the way back to the car I spotted this little nest in the hedge...
http://imgur.com/8MUwnVr
The whole nest was about five feet off the ground and about the size of my fist. The entrance to the nest is only bout the size of an old 50p. I wander what lives/lived there?
I was back at the car far too soon, but it was really good to be out. I will be out again soon!
